Fox 5 New York, through YouTubeCredit score: (Screenshot), Fox 5 New York, through YouTube
Police responded Wednesday to a request for assist from Columbia College after a big group of pro-Palestinian protesters forcibly entered a campus library and declared it a “liberation zone.”
The New York Police Division made 80 arrests, however no fees had been introduced as of early Thursday morning, NYPD advised The Every day Sign.
“I hope they will face serious consequences for their unlawful actions,” Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., stated of the protesters in a submit on X.
In accordance with Columbia, a big variety of those that took half within the library takeover are believed to be “not affiliated with the University.”
“The anti-Israel movement has metastasized into street thuggery since the Oct. 7 massacre, and the campuses are the epicenter,” Invoice Jacobson, founder and writer of Authorized Rebellion and a legislation professor at Cornell Legislation College, advised The Every day Sign.
“It is not surprising that violent non-student groups also have flocked to campuses, where they find a receptive environment,” Jacobson added. “Columbia, with its long history of anti-Israel activism by students, faculty, and administrators is a logical magnet for the worst elements in our society. The Trump administration is asking a question many Americans are asking: ‘Why are we funding this?’”
Associated: Anti-Israel Protesters Tear Down US Flags, Burn Them, Increase Palestinian Flags Blocks From Capitol
The Trump administration reduce $400 million in federal funding from Columbia College in March, citing incidents of antisemitism as the explanation.
Video of the incident reveals a big, masked crowd forcing its well past a safety officer and into Butler Library. As soon as inside, the group hangs indicators and banners studying “liberated zone,” and “Free Mahmoud Khalil.” In March, the Trump administration arrested Khalil, a former Columbia College graduate scholar, inexperienced card holder, and pro-Palestinian activist, and is looking for to deport him.
Contained in the library, the group pounded on drums and shouted, “free Palestine,” and referred to as for a “global intifada.”
Protesters penned graffiti contained in the library, writing “learn from Palestine,” and “CU U will see,” “CU” standing for Columbia College.
Hours after the takeover started, police escorted the protesters, fingers zip tied behind their backs, out of the library.
“Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies,” Columbia stated in a press release following the incident, including, “this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams.”
“Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today,” the college stated. “We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our university.”
Two Columbia Public Security Officers have been injured throughout the protest, in accordance with the college.
Mass pro-Palestinian protests and an encampment broke out on the campus of Columbia College campus final spring. The anti-Israel demonstrations on campus finally led to Minouche Shafik resigning from her place as president of the college.
Syndicated with permission from The Every day Sign.
